Video: Gun Sales Exploding

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – This holiday season it’s not just electronics flying off the shelves, it’s guns as well. Amidst the tragic events that unfolded in Connecticut, all across the region gun shop owners are seeing an influx of gun sales and gun interest.

Guns sales have skyrocketed all across the country after the tragic events that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

According to Gary’s Pawn and Gun Owner Gary Dedeauz, “This December will be higher because the scare for a lack of a better words of people not sure if they are going to be able to buy a firearm or what type. Anytime something like this tragedy happens, unfortunately it does spike gun sales.”

It’s not just Tv’s and Ipads flying off the shelves, it’s also guns like this one. And many are buying them out of the necessity of feeling safeBut many are buying them out of necessity to feel safe.

Dedeaux says, “We’ve seen more this year of guns that are being bought for protection. We’re seeing a demographic of people we have not seen in years.”

Gun store owners are seeing more female customers and more older patrons, too. Friday at Gary’s Pawn and Gun the phones were bustling and lines were long. It’s not an easy process to get a gun, there is a bunch of red tape to go through. After so many tragic events this year alone involving guns, that process is taking a little longer.

Dedeaux says, “If they don’t have identification they can’t buy a firearm and it has to be a legitimate Mississippi issued ID.”

People must also clear a back round check and a load of paperwork is needed just to get started. As sales continue to increase this Christmas Holiday, so does the debate over gun ownership. Legislators on both sides of the aisle have voiced concern about the need for change. But what changes? and at what cost.? The uncertainty has people reacting.

The NRA has been criticized by lawmakers and members of the public who want stricter gun control laws. The President put Vice President Joe Biden in charge of the effort to develop new legislation.

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WCBI – TV was the first television station in North Mississippi. The station began its regular operations on July 13, 1956 under the ownership of Birney Imes, Jr. WCBI was first housed in a group of cement block buildings in a pasture east of Columbus on Highway 12